long time ago...

Share on Facebook

Vincent Teo

#543034 Fri, 18 Jul 08 12:51 PM

Can I say,

(i) Long time ago, there was an owl. It lived on an old tree that near the ground of a university.

(ii) The tree grew in the ground of a university.

(ii) Long ago, there was an owl who lived near the ground of a university.

Vincent Teo

Joined on Sat, Mar 31 2007

Senior Member (3,902)

Universities

Mr Wordy

#543057 Fri, 18 Jul 08 02:03 PM

(i) A long time ago, there was an owl. It lived on in an old tree ~~that~~ near the grounds of a university.

(ii) The tree grew in the grounds of a university.

(iii) Long ago, there was an owl ~~who~~ that [but "who" is possible in a story that gives the owl a human-like character] lived near the grounds of a university.

Mr Wordy

Joined on Tue, May 27 2008

Regular Member (960)

Native British English speaker

Universities

Vincent Teo

#543098 Fri, 18 Jul 08 04:01 PM

I'm really confused! It's "in the grounds" or "on the grounds"?

Can I just say, "in a ground"? Why do you say "in the tree" ? not "on the tree"?

Vincent Teo

New2grammar

#543100 Fri, 18 Jul 08 04:03 PM

Vincent, check MM's reply in another thread of yours on a similar topic. Also, I think those who help you expect some gratitude once a while. A simple thank you would be great.

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Tanit

#543107 Fri, 18 Jul 08 04:10 PM

Hi,

As N2G says, MM has already answered the very same questions in another thread: http://www.englishforums.com/English/InOnAt/gwwxh/post.htm,
so I am locking this thread. Please go to the other one if you have some more questions on this topic.

Tanit

Joined on Mon, Jul 31 2006

In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea

Senior Member (2,143)

A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day. (A. Schweitzer)